Four fixed-penalty notices were issued on Thursday, the first day Hong Kong’s new tobacco-control regulations effectively banned the use of alternative smoking products in public places, according to the head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office.

As of April 30, a total ban on alternative smoking products – including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes – has been in place in public spaces.

Offenders caught possessing, using, importing or selling these items face penalties of up to HK$50,000 and six months in jail, while public possession alone can result in a HK$3,000 fine.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme on Friday, Manny Lam, head of the control office, said that as of 5pm on the first day of enforcement, his office had issued four penalty notices under the relevant law.

He added that inspections would continue across various locations, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Lam noted that the low number of violations was largely expected.

"This is largely in line with our expectations," he said.

"First, these products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products have already had their import, sale, promotion and manufacturing banned for four years.

"In fact, there is no legal way to obtain these products in society."

Lam also credited public awareness campaigns for the low number of infractions.

"Given our extensive publicity work recently, we expected that the number of these penalty notices issued would not be very serious," he said.

Lam emphasised that ongoing publicity efforts aim not only to encourage public understanding and compliance with the law but also to raise awareness about the dangers of alternative smoking products.

"Publicity work is never perfect or completely sufficient, but even though we have done a lot, we will keep doing it," he said.

"We hope that through publicity, besides helping people understand and comply with the law, the public will also truly understand what the hazards of these products are."

Lam reiterated that alternative smoking products contain nicotine, are not “harm-reduction” tools, and do not help people quit smoking.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden